Dimitri Toledo felt instant relief when he learned that his tuition and fees for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program in the School of Health Professions would be covered by the UT San Antonio Health Science Center Bold Promise.
When his first semester of classes started in August, Toledo was able to focus on his classes, the next step toward his dream of becoming a physician.
“Having that weight off my shoulders improves my capability and my ability to learn ten-fold,” Toledo said.
The UT San Antonio Health Science Center Bold Promise launched in the 2026–2027 academic year. This fall, the program has provided more than $550,000 in assistance to 167 students in the School of Nursing, School of Health Professions and School of Dentistry, said John Kaulfus, EdD, associate vice president and vice provost for Health, Academic and Student Affairs at the UT San Antonio Health Science Center. The recipients by academic program include:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing — 108 students
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences — 22 students
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene — 19 students
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care — 10 students
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences — 8 students
The program provides valuable support for student success, Kaulfus said.
“We are so excited to make Bold Promise available to our eligible health campus undergraduate students,” Kaulfus said. “We know this program is a vital component for many of our students to achieve their academic goals and dreams.”
Students share how Bold Promise is changing their lives
The Bold Promise is helping second-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Jose Ortega Gamboa reduce his work hours to better focus on his dream career of being a nurse in labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care.
“I feel like when I got this help it has just helped me balance life, school and work, and maintain a stable economic ability to provide for myself [with] food, gas and school books,” he said. “When you have books to buy or registrations that are coming due, your mind just spikes off to, ‘Where am I going to get the money from?’ It really felt like a cushion for me.”
A desire to help families improve their oral health drew first-year students Esly Ayala and Delilah Bermea to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program. Bermea, a student in the School of Dentistry’s San Antonio cohort, said her own challenges accessing dental care growing up in the Rio Grande Valley have inspired her to work and volunteer in a profession that will help others receive care.
Both Bermea and Ayala said the Bold Promise provides a welcome relief from stress for them and their families.
“It gave us encouragement and motivation to keep going,” said Ayala, who attends the program at the School of Dentistry’s Laredo location. “It just helped out so much.”
Eligibility for Health Science Center Bold Promise
To be eligible for the Health Science Center Bold Promise, students must be Texas residents pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, meet income requirements and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) by the deadline. Health Science Center programs whose students may qualify for Bold Promise include:
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, San Antonio
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Laredo
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – traditional track
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care
Degree programs that are 100% online are not eligible for Bold Promise. For program details, visit the UT San Antonio Health Science Center Bold Promise webpage.